FSAI probe into all evening primrose oil products

AN investigation into all evening primrose oil products for sale in Ireland sale has been launched by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) following the discovery of potentially dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals in two brands.

The brands concerned, Health Essentials Evening Primrose Oil Capsules and Biennol Evening Primrose Oil Capsules, were pulled from the shelves last week when a routine inspection by environmental health officers in Galway found they were contaminated with high levels of a carcinogenic chemical called Benzo(a)pyrene.

Benzo(a)pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which has been shown to cause cancer after prolonged exposure. An FSAI warning issued following the discovery said significant exposures to PAHs may lead to adverse public health consequences.